Machine for making containers



Aug. 11, 1925.

Original Filed March 25, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 192s.1,549,294

H. CARLE MACHINE FOR MAKING CONTAINERS original Filed March 25, 1921 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 0M wp: A2M r /O/u ATTORNEY Aug. ll, 1925.1,549,294

H. CARLE MACHINE FOR MAKING CONTAINERS Original Filed March 25, 1921 4Sheets-Sheet 3 7 O r y INVENTOR 7 2 BY/MM M f Aww, kj r ATTORNEY Aug.l1, 1925. 1,549,294

H. CARLE MACHINE FOR MAKING CDNTAINERS Original Filed March 25, 1921 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FJ.' 28 WM Car/fle.

//.ww' y i r/Ou ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 11, v1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD CABLE, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNO'R TO F. N. BUBT COMPANY, Lm-ITED, 0F TORONTO, ONTAIBIOl CANADA, A CORPORATION 0F ONTARIO.

MACHINE'FOR HAKING CONTAINERS.

Original application led March 25, 1921, Serial No. 455,480. Divided andthis application Med January 6, 1923. Serial No. 610,980.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD CABLE, a subject of the Kingdom of GreatBritain, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines forMakin Containers, of which the following is a ful clear, and exactdescription, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in machines for manufacturingcups of paper and like material, and with respect to lts more specificfeatures to mechanism for receiving, bunching and discharging the formedcups.

A'n object of the invention is to rovide mechanism for discharging cupsrom a forming machine in groups of a selected number of cups. v

Another object is to provide mechanism for receiving and nesting thecups as they are formed, in series of a selected number adapted forinsertion in automatically controlled dispensing mechanism.

Another object is to provide in connection with the bunching mechanism,means for countin the cups as they are delivered thereto, an other meanscontrolled by the counting means for discharging the cups from thebunching mechanism when a. selected number has been received.

Other objects will be in part obvious and art pointed out hereinafter.

he invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the ollowing claims.

In the accompan ing drawing forming a art of this speci cation whereinsimilar reflerence characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying theinvention,

Fig. 2 is a. fragmentary side elevation of the discharge mechanism, andbunching device,

Fig. 3 is a front view,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the counting mechanism,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the counter and counter actuatingmechanism,

Fig. 6 is a detail of the carrier head,

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the same with parts insection Fig. 8 is aside view of Fig. 5.

In the machine with which the present mechanism is designed to cooperateforming the subject-matter of application Serial No. 455,480, tiledMarch 25, 1921, and of which the present application is a division,suitably shaped blanks of paper or the like, are fed to a mandrel, andan edge of the blank is clamped thereto, by suction mechanism. Themandrel is then rotated to wind the blank thereon, after which it istranslated to discharge position. From the magazine indicated generallyat 1, the blanks are fed in succession to the mandrels or formers 2. Themandrels are rotated to wind blanks thereon and are then moved pastbrushing mechanism indicated at 3, for

olding the blank coiled on the mandrel, to the discharge station. Herethe blanks are stripped from the former, by a stripper 4. The stripper(Figs. 6 and 7) has a pneumatic gripper opening 5 in its face, the saidface being curved to conform tothe surface of the conical cup, and to tclosely thereagainst (Fig. 3). The opening 5 communicates with an airchamber 6, from which a flexible pipe 7 leads to the air exhaust tankindicated at 8. The face of the carrier 4 is provided with grooves ordepressions 9 to distribute the suction effect. A rotary valve 10 isarranged in the pipe 7, and the valve is provided with a depending armor pin 11 which is o erated in a manner to be presently descri ed, tocontrol the energization of the gripper opening in the face of thecarrier. The carrier has an extension 12 provided with a cylindricalrecess 13, in communication with the air chamber 6, and a reciprocatorypiston 14 is arranged within the recess. This piston is adapted to bedrawn inwardly by the vacuum effect in the chamber 6, and it is urgedoutwardly by a coil spring 15, as shown in Fig. 7. Outside the cylinder,the piston carries a pin 16 which serves as a counter actuating member,as will be later described. The carrier late 4 and the extension 12reciprocate axially of the former 2 at the dischargestation of theforming machine, the said plate and extension being carried by a rockarm 17 which is fixed to a sleeve 18 on a shaft 19 journaled in theframe 2O of the forming machine. Rocking movement is imparted to thesleeve 18, and consequent reciprocation of the carrier 4 by an arm 21depending from the sleeve and connected to a bell crank 22 pivoted onthe frame 20, by means of an adjustable link 23. The bell crank 22 isoperated by a follower 24 which carries a roller 25 engaging the edgeof'a cam 26 on a shaft 27 supported by the frame of the forming machine.

As before mentioned, the valve l() is adapted to be automaticallyoperated to control the suction effect in the carrier 4, the valve beingopened when the carrier face is set against the cup on the former, inorder to grip the cup and carr it off the former. A rock arm 28 de endsrom a rod 29 journaled on the mac ine frame, into the path of movementof the arm 11 which controls the valve, as the carrier moves toward theformer, and near the end of its movement in this direction. The rod 29is oscillated by an arm 30 at the end remote from the arm 28, connectedto a follower 31 having a roller 32 engaging the edge of acam 33 on theshaft 27 before mentioned In order to close the valve 10 at a 'selectedpoint in the outward movement of the carrier, and thus release thesuction elfect in the carrier face, a Stationary pin 34 is provided forengaging the arm 11.

At the end of the movement of the carrier away from the former, andafter the suction has been released by en agement of the arm 11 with thepin 34, t e cups are removed from the carrier, by means of a pusher 35.The pusher is carried by an arm 36 secured to a horizontal shaft 37'journaled on the machine frame, the said shaft being oscillated by meansof the oscillation of a vertical rod 38, which at its lower end isconnected to a radial arm 39 on the Shaft 37, by means of a link 40. Therod 38 is oscillated by a, cam 41 carried by a shaft 42 journaled on theframe. A follower 43 carries a roller 44 engaging the edge of the cam,and the rod 38 has a radial arm 45 connected to the follower. A spring46 is arranged between the link 23 and the link 40, andvoperates tocontribute a s cies of following motion to the cup pushing arm.

When the article carrier 4 is in its forward sosition, the cup carriedthereby will be hel loosely on its curved face plate, the pneumatic griphaving been broken b the oscillation of the valve arm 11, an the pusherarm is then moved forward sharply, causing the pusher 35 to tap the cupresting in the carrier, and thus cause the cup to be deposited. upon thereceiving pan 47. The discharge of a succeeding cup in the same manner,causes the cups to be nested one within the other on the pan orreceiver. A

spring plate guide 48 may be fixed above the pan to determine theposition of the first cup deposited, and to insure a stationarydisposition of the 'stack of cups. The formers 2 grip the blanks bysuction, as described in the application of which the present case is adivision, and the Igrip is released before the carrier 4 moves the cup,and the resistance to the stripping action of the carrier will bereducedto a minimum.

When a selected number of cups have been deposited on the receiver, thepan is tilted to discharge the stack of cups therefrom. The pan which iscurved transversely, and arranged with its concave face upward ispivotally mounted on a bracket 49 extending outwardly from the machineframe. A link 50 connects an arm 5l on the pan with an arm 52 on a shaft53 journaled oii the machine frame. The shaft has another arm 54 at theopposite end from the arm 52, and this arm 54 is connected by a link 55with a disk 56 loosely mounted on the driving 'shaft 57 of the machine,and frictionally rotatably connected therewith through a spring 57 whichserves to press the disk 56 a ainst a face plate 58 constantly rotatingwith the shaft 57. The disk 56 is normally held from rotation with theshaft by a 'sto controlled by a counter to be later describe while thecups are being deposited in the pan, and it is permitted to make aSingle rotation at periodic intervals to tilt the pan and discharge thestack of cups therefrom, when a predetermined number has been received.

The counting means includes a horizontally arranged rock shaft 59journaled on the machine frame, and having a radial pin 60 extendinginto the path of movement of the in 16 on the carrier. When a cup is int e pneumatic grip of the carrier, and the carrier moves forward, thepin 16 engages the pin 60, and rocks the shaft 59, which in turnac'tuates the counting mechanism. The shaft 59 before mentioned hasconnected with the opposite end thereof from the pin 60 a slidablemember 61, the member 61 being pivoted eccentricall tb the shaft, asshown in Fig. 8. The sli able member is reciprocated at each rocking ofthe 'shaft 59, and at each reciprocation the sliding member 61 moves atoothed wheel 62 which is rotatably mounted on the machine frame, adistance of one tooth, this wheel having a pin 65 upstanding from itssurface. A finger or pawl 63 is pivotally connected with the slidingmember, and engages the teeth of the wheel, being held in engagementtherewith by a spring 64. The spring 64 also acts to urge the slidebackward after each forward movement. A plate spring 66 is arran ed inrear of the pin 60, for engagement y the pin on its return movement.

Upon the forward movement of the carrier arm 17, carrying a. cuppneumatically gripped to the carrier 4, the piston 14 is drawn in by thesuction within the air chamber 6, to such a position that the pin ortrip 16 will engage the pin 60 thereby rocking the shaft 59, and causinga forward movement of the finger 63. When the arm 17 approaches itsextreme forward position, the pin 16 slips past the pin 60, which isthen returned to its original position against the spring plate 66, byreason of the spring 64. At the forward position of the arm 17, thesuction within the air vchamber 6 is cut oil'l as described, by theoscillation of the valve 10, and the spring 15 urges the iston outwardlyto the position shown in ig. 7. Upon the 'subsequent retraction of thearm 17 the extended pin 16 will fail to engage the pin and when thecarrier plate 4 lies against a cup on the former, the valve 16 is openedas explained, and the suction within the air chamber 6 pulls the piston1nwardly, so that the pin 16 will occupy'an operative positionpreparatory to engaging the pin 60 on the next forward movement of thecarrier arm. It will be evident that by the means described, the disk 62will be rotated through the are of one of its teeth with the dischargeof each cup.

Mechanism is provided for permitting the disc 56 to rotate to cause atilting of the pan 47, and a discharge of the stack of cups held thereonwhen the pan holds a predetermined number of cups, the said mechanismbeing constrolled by the toothed disc 62. The disc 56 is normally heldfrom rotation on the shaft 57 by a stop 67 which engages the radialshoulder 68 of a notch in the periphery of the disc 56. The sto 67 ismovable vertically and radially of t e disc 56, 1n a bracket 69 securedto the machine frame, and it is pivotally connected for suchreciprocation to one end of a vibratory arm 70, the connection beingindicated at 71. The arm 70 is urged downwardly at every oscillation ofa shaft 72, which is rocked at regular 1ntervals, by means of a link 73pivotally secured to the arm 70 intermediate its ends and to an arm 74on the shaft. A dog 75 secured to the shaft operates the arm 74, to movethe same at each oscillation of the shaft. The link 70 is normally urgedupward by a spring 76 arranged between the pivotal connection of thelink 73 and the pivotal connection of the stop 67. At every oscillationof the shaft 72 there is a downward pull on the arm 70, and the arm willnormally pivot on the pin 71, because of the friction existing betweenthe stop 67 and the disc 56, supplemented by the tendency of the spring76 to u hold the pivotal arm of the link. Hence t e other end of thelink will be depressed against the face of the disc 62. i

lVhen the disc has been rotated step by step to the position of Fig. 4,the pin before-mentioned assumes a position directly beneath theadjacent end of the link 70, and the downward pull on the link 7 3results in pivotal action of the link on the pin 65 as a center, and thestop 67 will be disengaged from the disc 56. Upon such disengagement,the dise 56 is rotated with the shaft 57 by reason of the frictionalclutch effect, of the end plate 58 against which the disc is pressed bythe spring 57. As the disc rotates, the link 55 pivotally securedthereto rocks the shaft 49 and tilts the pan 47, ejecting the countedstack of cups from the pan. Obviously periodic discharge of the stackedcups will be effected with the discharge of a certain number of cupsequal to the number of teeth on the disc 62, the carrier arm 17 causingfractional rotation of the disc at every forward movement.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When a former is at discharge position for the cups, the carrier 4 ismoved toward the cup, and as the carrier contacts with the cup, thepneumatic gripper is operated to cause the carrier to grip the cup. Thecarrier then moves forwardly, and the stripper plate 35 follows thecarrier, tapping the cup held on the carrier to drive it into the pan,as soon as the pneumatic gripper is released, which is when the carrieris at the end of its forward movement. The cups are thus placed one byone in the pan, and with every movement of the carrier arm to dischargea cup, the counting mechanism is actuated. WV en a selected number ofcups has been placed in the pan, the pin 65 is beneath the adjacent endof the link 70, and the stop 67 is released, permitting the disc 56 torotate With the shaft 57. Through the connection between the disc andthe pan, the pan is tilted to discharge the cups.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely dierent embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood thatV the language used in the followingclaims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features ofthe invention herein de scribed, and all statements of the scope of theinvention which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a recirocal article carrier having a concave artic e supporting face in whichis a pneumatic gripper opening, an exhaust device, means, including avalve reciprocal with said carrier adapted to control passageway to saidexhaust device from said opening and devices adapted automatically toopen said valve at one position of said carrier and to close said valveat a diierent position of said carrier.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, areciprocal article carrier having a concave article supporting face inwhich is a pneumatic gripper openin said carrier having an extension provi ing an air chamber, an exhaustdevice, means, including a valvereciprocal wlth said carrier, adapted to control passageway through saidchamber to said exhaust device from said opening, a piston mounted onsaid extension and projecting therefrom reciprocal in response to thevariation of pressure in said chamber, power actuated means to open saidvalve at one end of the reciprocal movement of said carrier and astationary pin cooperative to close said valve between the intervals ofopening thereof.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, areciprocal article carrier having a concave article supporting face inwhich is a pneumatic gripper openin said carrier having an extensionprovi ing an air chamber, an exhaust device, means, including a valvereciprocal with said carrier adapted to control passageway through saidchamber to said exhaust device from said opening, a piston mounted onsaid extension and projecting therefrom reciprocal in response to thevariation of pressure in said chamber, power actuated means to open saidvalve at one end of the reciprocal movement of said carrier and astationary pin cooperative to close said valve between the intervals ofopening thereof, and a reciprocal article pusher timed to strike anddischarge an article from said carrier subsequent to said closing ofsaid valve.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, areciprocal article carrier having a concave article supporting face inwhich is a pneumatic gripper opening, said carrier having an extensionproviding an air chamber, an exhaust device, means, including a valvereciprocal with said carrier, adapted to control passageway through saidchamber to said exhaust device from said opening, a piston mounted onsaid extension and projecting therefrom recipro- 'cal in res onse to thevariation of pressure said carrier having an extension providing.

an air chamber, an exhaustdevice, means, including a valve reciprocalwith said carrier adapted to control passageway through said chamber tosaid exhaust device from said opening, a piston mounted on said carrierreciprocal in response to the variation of p'ressure in said chamber,devices adapted automatically to open said valve at one position of saidcarrier and to close said valve at a different position of said carrier,an' article counter and counter actuating means includin a rock shaft, aradial pin on said shaft and a piston movable with said carrier andreciprocal thereon toward and from position to either engage or escapesaid radial pin as said carrier reciprocates, movement of said piston onsaid carrier being responsive to variation of pressure in said chamber.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anarticle carrier movable from article receiving to article dischargingcposition, an article receiver movable to an from article supportinposition for receipt of articles discharged rom said carrier, an articlecounter, means whereby the number of counter actuations of said countercorresponds to the number of receipts of articles by said carrier, andmeans whereby movement of said receiver from and to article receivingposition is eil'ected at predetermined intervals in the actuation ofsaid counter.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, areciprocal article carrier having an article supporting face in which isa pneumatic gripper opening, an exhaust device, means including a valvereciprocal with said carrier adapted to control passagewayto saidexhaust device from said opening, an article receiver tiltable to andfrom article supporting position for receipt of articles discharged fromsaid carrier, an article counter, means whereby the number of counteractuations of said counter corresponds to the number of articlessuccessively gripped to said carrier, and means for reciprocally tiltingsaid receiver at predetermined intervals in the actuation of saidcounter.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anarticle carrier, an exhaust device, a passageway leading from saidexhaust device to a pneumatic gripper opening in said carrier, and areciprocatory piston exposed to the pressure in said passageway, anarticle receiver, means to move said receiver to and'from articlesupporting position for receipt of articles discharged from saidcarrier, and means whereby operation of said receiver by said lastmentioned means is controlled by said piston.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anarticle carrier, an exhaust device, a passageway leading from saidexhaust device to a pneumatic gripper opening in said carrier, areciprocatory piston exposed to the pressure in said passageway andhaving a counter-actuatin member, an article counter, a valve adapte tocontrol passageway to said exhaust device from said opening and saidpiston, and devices adapted automatically to open and close said valve,includin an arm on said valve, a rock-arm for openinrr said valve and arelatively stationary pin or closing said valve.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anarticle carrier, an exhaust device, a passageway leading from saidexhaust device to a pneumatic gripper Vopening in said carrier, areciprocatory pis ton exposed to the pressure in said passage- Way andhaving a counter-actuating member, an article counter, a valve adaptedto control passageway to said exhaust device from said opening and saidpiston, devices adapted automatically to open and close said valveincluding an arm on said valve, a rockarm for opening said valve and arelatively stationary pin for closing said valve, the latter afteractuation of said counter.

11. In an ap aratus ofthe character described, in com ination, anarticle receiver, an article counter, counter-actuating means, meansadapted to effect discharge of an article from said receiver, and means,operative upon a predetermined number of counter actuations, adapted tooperate said discharge means.

12. In an ap aratus of the character de'- scribed, in com ination, anarticle receiver, an article counter, counter-actuating means, meansadapted to effect discharge of an article from said receiver, meansoperative upon a predetermined number of counter actuations, adapted tooperate said discharge means, including a rotatable member operativelyconnected to said discharge means, a power shaft frictionally coupled tosaid rotatable member, a stop for said rotatable member, and meanscontrolled by said counter for positioning said sto in and out ofengagement with said mem er.

13. In an apparatus of thecharacter described, in'combination, anarticle receiver, an article counter, counter-actuating means, meansadapted to effect discharge of an article from said receiver, means,operative upon a predetermined number of counter actuations, adapted tooperate said discharge means, includin a rotatable member operativelyconnecte to said discharge means, a power shaft frictionally coupled tosaid rotatable member, a stop for said rotatable member, meanscontrolled by said counter for positioning said stop in and out ofengagement with said member. including a vibratory arm, means forvibrating said arm, and means carried by said counter for causing themovement of said arm to move said stop out of engagement with saidrotatable member.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, anarticle carrier including a pneumatic gripper opening, an articlecounter, counter-actuating means dependent for counter-actuation uponthe gripping of an article by said opening, an article receiver, meansadapted to eii'ect discharge of an article from said receiver, means,operative upon a predetermined number of counter actuations, adapted tooperate said discharge means, means adapted to time the energization andde-energization of said opening including an exhaust device, a passageway adapted to connect said opening and said exhaust device, anair-control valve for said passageway, means movable relative tosaidcarrier adapted to open said valve, a reciprocatory piston exposedto the pressure in said passageway, a pin adapted to be positioned bysaid piston in and out of operative relation tooperate said counteractuating means on movement of said carrier in one direction, and meansadapted to close said valve at predetermined intervals.

15. In an apparatus of the character de.- scribed, in combination, anarticle carrier includin a pneumatic gripper opening, an artlclecounter, counter-actuating means dependent for counter actuation uponthe gripping of an article by said opening, an article receiver, meansadapted to elect discharge of an article from said receiver, means, oerative upon a predetermined number o counter actuations, adapted tooperate said discharge means, means adapted to time the energization anddeenergization of said openlng includin an exhaust device, a passagewayadapte to connect said opening an said exhaust device, an air-controlvalve for said assa eway, means movable relative t0 sai carrier adaptedto open said valve, a reciprocatory piston exposed to the pressure insaid assageway, a pin adapted to be position by said piston in and out of operative reaton to operate said counter-actuating means on movementof said carrier in one direction, means ada ted to close said valve atpredeterminedP intervals, said discharge operaning means inclu arotatable member operatvely connec to a power shaft frlctionally coupledto said rotatable member, a stop vfor said rotatable member, and

means controlled by said counter for pol0 sitioning said sto in and outof engagement with said rotatab e member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein the presence of twowitnesses. g

HAROLD CARLE. Witnesses: v

4H. C. Corners,

FRANK H. Forum.

means controlled by said counter for pol0 sitioning said stop in and outof engagement with said rotatable member.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in the presence of twoWitnesses.

HAROLD CARLE. Witnesses `H. C. CorriNs,

FRANK H. Poma.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 1,549,294, upon theapplication of Harold Carle, of Buffalo, New in Machines for MakingContainers, were erroneously Issued to anted August 11, 1925, ork, foran im rovement N. Burt Company, Limited, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, acorporation of Ontario, whereas said Letters Patent should have beenissued to Vorteil: Mfg. U0., of Ulziwrrgo, Illinois, a corporation ofIllinois, said corporation belng assignee, by meen@ assegnmenta, of theentire interest in said invention, as shown by the records of.assignments in this oiice; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with thls correction therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case 1n the Patent Oice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of October, A. D. 1925.

[SML] KARL FENNING, Acting Oommesaoner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No, 1,549,294, anted August11, 1925, upon the application of Harold Carle, of Buialo, New ork, foran im rovement in Machines for Makingr Containers, were erroneouslyissued to N. Burt Company, Limited, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, acorporation of Ontario, whereas said Letters Patent should have beenissued to Vortex Mfg. 00., of Chicago, Illinois, a corporation ofIllinois, said corporation being assignee, by meme assignments, of theentire interest in said invention, as shown by the' records ofassignments in this oice; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this amrrection therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Signed and sealed this 13th day ofOctober, A. D. 1925.

[snm] KARL FENNIN G,

Acting Oom'misaaomr of Patents.

